I really enjoyed the conference on church growth at Dryden. It was not your typical Willow Creek or Saddleback church growth conference either! It was guys who are doing ministry in real life small churches throughout NY state. Real ministries of less than 200 members in communities of less than 2000. (Dave Whiting excepted -- Rochester). Each man said it in his own way, but each put a disclaimer on their messages -- "I am not an expert". While I appreciate their humility and sense of perspective, their caveats leave me wondering who will be the model? Who will set the standard or blaze a trail of excellence and say "Thus far hath God brought me -- By His grace I stand". I want to have lots of great men who are serving well surrounding me as a great cloud of witnesses. (ala Hebrews 12:1)
I have tried to boil these seven sessions (each with a man of God who clearly shared his passion in the areas of church growth and health) down to a couple of great thoughts that impacted me or that I want to try and improve in my ministry. What a tough job. But here is the second installment of that attempt:
1. The danger in church growth seminars is that we try to apply someone else’s techniques to our situation. Our standard for leadership is that of Christ. The good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep. (not His death on the cross, his daily sacrifice for the good of the disciples) *Even to the point of suffering wrongly. [Paul P]
2. Our contentment must be found in investing your self into someone else. A church exists to build people in Christ. If we strive for bigger/better we are chasing a fleeting dream. It will never big enough or good enough.
3. We may have slipped into “acceptable modes of fleshliness”. Is my sacrifice to be [accepted, noticed, thanked, successful, an authority]? Or is my personal sacrifice to be of service to God? [Paul P]
4. Get rid of fear -- there is no place for it in our ministry! We are not going to do it perfectly, so don't let perfectionistic tendencies stymy action! [Paul P]
5. Have they (the people in the church, YG, SS class, etc.) seen an attitude of self-sacrifice in me? Have I modeled Christ before my flock? Or have I embellished my sacrifice for personal gain (ala Annanias and Sapphira)? The best sacrifice is modeled after the perfect love of 1 Corinthians 13. If I sacrifice my body, but have not love I am like a clanging cymbal! Romans 12:1-2 says that I am committed to sacrifice! [Paul P]
6. We must avoid falling into the trap of giving up on preaching. There are five reasons why we need a healthy diet of expositional preaching in our churches:
a) preaching Scriptures leads people to salvation [1 Timothy 3:15];
b) preaching Scriptures leads people to maturity [3:16-17];
c) God has commanded us to preach! [4:1-2];
d) the Scriptures are a supernatural book [Hebrew 4:12];
e) the Scriptures are exalted by God [Psalm 138:2] [Dave W]
7. Preach truth not preference; do not blur the lines. [Dave W]
8. Being boring is not just sad – it’s sinful. [Dave W]
By the way, Dave was not boring! He mastered the use of Powerpoint in sermon presentation. He did a cool thing with the Scriptures too. He used white letters to singnify the parts that he would read and included phrases of emphasis in yellow for the congregation to read in unison. It worked really well.
9. The goal of great preaching is transformation not just more information. God never says, “I just wanted you to know that”. [Dave W]
10. We must preach Christ, for His glory (not mine). [2 Cor. 4:5] [Dave W]
11. Young people do not have a choice – they grow! Will you direct that growth and steer them toward godliness? Or will you allow someone else to shape them? We can’t sit back and wait for the “worst to happen”. The enemy is busy, so we must be busy! [Russ A]
12. If we help young people grow mentally, physically, and spiritually without helping them grow socially, that growth is useless. [Russ A]
I think that what Russ was getting at was a lack of application in the real world for our young people. We are very good at increasing their Bible aptitude and often not very good at helping them grasp the concept rather than the facts. A favor with God is great and necessary; but a favor with men is critical to ministry. After all, most people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.
13. The goal of youth group is not to give more information; it is to apply the truths. Their midweek sesssion are called “Lab Time”. They discuss the message from Sunday, prayer requests, additional passages that bear on the topic, etc. [Russ A]
14. Using Luke 14:15-35 as a backdrop, are we missing out on the banquet of spiritual harvest? Some of the "banquet stealers" are:
a. The “if only” mindset = if only we had this or that we could do minnistry more effectively
b. Excuses = material goods, work, relationships come first before ministry
c. Overlooked opportunities
d. Unmet expectations = it didn't match what I wanted to see happen, let's quit [LD M]
15. Consider Acts 2:41ff as an outreach text. The communion of the disciples also must have included a common purpose. They pooled their resources to reach their world! They lived consistently before others and attracted others to Christ. [LD M]
16. Two people out of 100 members is not community outreach! Simply throwing open the doors and calling “Y’all come” is not community outreach! Community outreach is going inot the highways and bi-ways and compelling them to come in! [LD M]
Wow! Once again, a full day of thinking about ministry to people. Most of the stuff shared is not rocket science. Most of the stuff is not new. But most of the stuff was helpful. I really wished that the deacons and trustees would have been ther to hear some of it. The tapes will not do justice to the sessions. There is great beauty in iron sharpening iron. May I be sharper now than I ever was before!
Keep your edge,
Mike
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
ESF Winter Conference -- Dryden, NY
I am writing via my wireless connection in the breakfast area of the Country Inn and Suites in Cortland NY! I have the Praise and Worship Channel playing in the background and I am chewing on some great spiritual food from the conference that we are at! I love technology!
Let me share just a few tidbits of the conference with you. This conference is geared towards church growth. It could not have come at a better time for me personally or for our ministry at Wyoming Baptist. I have really needed a good refocusing and challenge spiritually. Here are just a few of the nuggets that I have mined as I listened to several of my colleagues speak today.
1. An idea for setting community building goals for our youth group: telecare = once every 3 weeks, each person in the D-group will receive a phone call or IM from the leader; once very six months, each person will be visited in his/her home by the leader. That's how we will build a Caring Christian Community! [Matt S]
2. Make every conversation that I start with a person at Wyoming Baptist begin with a positive language statement. Find something to thank the person for, or admire in them, pass on a blessing to them first! [Matt S]
3. Insight: In the pattern of prayer described for the disciples, Jesus prays "let US not fall into temptation", but "deliver US from evil". He was praying community protection and power on the life of the church! [Matt S]
4. Insight: In the translation of James 5:16, the NIV makes the most sense! The prayer's effectiveness and power does not come from the righteousness of the man or the fervency of the prayer! It is the God we pray to that makes it effective! [Charlie C]
5. Insight: In the context the righteousness of the man makes him able to come into the presence of God with prayer. In the preceding verses, it is the confession of sins that makes the man righteous. [Charlie C]
6. "Prayer changes everything. Prayer replaces nothing." [Charlie C]
7. "Pray the vision (for your church) down from heaven, not conjure it up!" [Charlie C]
8. "Shepherd your people like God" -- Oswald Chambers
9. I must be "experiencing pioneer growth in my life" regularly as a leader/pastor. [Don S]
10. Is my ministry marked by "substantive authenticity". Or are they simply smelling a fragrance that is sprayed on out of the can?! [Don S]
11. Effective ministry leadership is measured by how it a) attracts others and b) how it influences them. Who wants to imitate me? Should they? [Don S]
12. God is constantly bringing us up short, allowing us to fall headlong into the pits (mostly of our own making), so that we will learn to cry out to Him. [Don S]
Wow! a dozen jewels and we are not even half way through the conference! I hope that I can apply just a couple of them to my own life. I feel a bit like a hungry man at the buffet!
Father,
Help me to focus on the next thing that you would have me learn and let that be enough -- for now. I need your help to implement change in me first. My number one problem in ministry is not them, it's me! Make me righteous before you, make my ministry effective and prayer-driven. Make me an example of godliness for those that I rub shoulders with every day/week/month/year.
Amen
Feasting in Dryden,
Mike
Let me share just a few tidbits of the conference with you. This conference is geared towards church growth. It could not have come at a better time for me personally or for our ministry at Wyoming Baptist. I have really needed a good refocusing and challenge spiritually. Here are just a few of the nuggets that I have mined as I listened to several of my colleagues speak today.
1. An idea for setting community building goals for our youth group: telecare = once every 3 weeks, each person in the D-group will receive a phone call or IM from the leader; once very six months, each person will be visited in his/her home by the leader. That's how we will build a Caring Christian Community! [Matt S]
2. Make every conversation that I start with a person at Wyoming Baptist begin with a positive language statement. Find something to thank the person for, or admire in them, pass on a blessing to them first! [Matt S]
3. Insight: In the pattern of prayer described for the disciples, Jesus prays "let US not fall into temptation", but "deliver US from evil". He was praying community protection and power on the life of the church! [Matt S]
4. Insight: In the translation of James 5:16, the NIV makes the most sense! The prayer's effectiveness and power does not come from the righteousness of the man or the fervency of the prayer! It is the God we pray to that makes it effective! [Charlie C]
5. Insight: In the context the righteousness of the man makes him able to come into the presence of God with prayer. In the preceding verses, it is the confession of sins that makes the man righteous. [Charlie C]
6. "Prayer changes everything. Prayer replaces nothing." [Charlie C]
7. "Pray the vision (for your church) down from heaven, not conjure it up!" [Charlie C]
8. "Shepherd your people like God" -- Oswald Chambers
9. I must be "experiencing pioneer growth in my life" regularly as a leader/pastor. [Don S]
10. Is my ministry marked by "substantive authenticity". Or are they simply smelling a fragrance that is sprayed on out of the can?! [Don S]
11. Effective ministry leadership is measured by how it a) attracts others and b) how it influences them. Who wants to imitate me? Should they? [Don S]
12. God is constantly bringing us up short, allowing us to fall headlong into the pits (mostly of our own making), so that we will learn to cry out to Him. [Don S]
Wow! a dozen jewels and we are not even half way through the conference! I hope that I can apply just a couple of them to my own life. I feel a bit like a hungry man at the buffet!
Father,
Help me to focus on the next thing that you would have me learn and let that be enough -- for now. I need your help to implement change in me first. My number one problem in ministry is not them, it's me! Make me righteous before you, make my ministry effective and prayer-driven. Make me an example of godliness for those that I rub shoulders with every day/week/month/year.
Amen
Feasting in Dryden,
Mike
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
In Holy Matrimony
We are working through the book of 1 Corinthians in the evening services. We have come to chapter 7 and I saw that there was definitely a marriage focus in these verses. So, without creating a worship service involving the Wedding March, I put these songs together with some comments or "synchro-fill" in between. You may want to use this layout for a worship service at a couples retreat or a celebration of a wedding anniversary (we just celebrated 15 yrs!) or with a sermon on 1 Corinthians 7!
As we have worked through the book of 1 Corinthians, we have seen that the personal relationship was not a strength in Corinth. It was every man out for himself or for his faction. There was contention at every turn and the family and marriage were no exceptions to the rule. The Corinthians had troubles in their marriages. If we want to avoid similar troubles, we must choose daily to make God the center of our universe rather than ourselves! We must choose to be on the same page with God. He must rescue and rebuild and restore our relationships! As the Psalmist said in Ps. 127, "Unless He builds the house, the workman labors in vain".
"As For Me and My House" Elizabeth de Gruvelles/Kurt Kaiser
The ministry of marriage and family is a daily act of service and worship to God. We must therefore follow His rules for them. We cannot simply read a book and form a plan and have success. No it is not a result of trying harder to make it work out. It is the result of obedient pursuit of God's design for the home.
Like any other relationship,unity comes from fellowship with Christ. He is the great unifier! Our unity in the home is a demonstration of Christ-likeness. make this your next song a prayer for your home, our church, the youth group, your office, etc.
"Father Make Us One" Rick Ridings
What should our unified family look like?
1 Peter 5:5b-11
You see it is not a matter of saying to others "I have it all together" or "we have a great marriage" or "I have perfect children". Instead it is saying "I have a great God who has caused me to enjoy some success in this area of my life" and "I owe it all to His influence in my life".
These verses end with a challenge to cast our cares on Him. The ultimate humility is asking Gdo for help! Admit that you can't do it yourself! Peter continued on in this passage to describe our adversary as a roaring lion, prowling about looking for someone to devour. He wants to have your marriage, your family, your relationships for lunch. He wants to see you fail. I must cast all of those cares and potential areas of failure on to God.
"Cares Chorus" Kelly Willard
God cares so much about our moments of weakness and failures. He loves to bring His strength to the situation and bring glory from ruin, beauty from ashes, strength from weakness. He has promised us success when we follow his guidance and patterns. Even when it looks like it is counter-cultural and out of control, He knows what He is talking about. His ways are perfect. His ways are the ways of strength.
"Be Strong In the Lord" Linda Lee Johnson/Tom Fetke
Whenever I am facing a struggle -- a snare -- I can go to Him and His word and find the secret to marital success. The world's ways are fakes, traps, decoys. God's way is truth! He has promised us the victory, let's live in that strength and press on!
He gets all of the credit and honor from our "successful" marriages. He gets the rejoicing praise from the victories that we have. He is worthy of that praise!
"The Worship Song" Celeste Yohai
When we blow it, our Father stands ready, willing and able to forgive, restore and rebuild the mess that we have made of it. What merciful treatment -- we do not deserve it. Yet He loves to be merciful to us.
"You are Merciful to Me" Ian White
Did you hear those great names of God in the bridge? Redeemer, Savior, Healer and Friend are all relationship words/names. He is the healer of broken fellowships. These are great names that express His great part in our lives. Here are some others in a great hymn of the faith.
"Join All the Glorious Names" Isaac Watts/John Darwall
Are you excited about the phrase that you have just sung? "A feeble saint shall win the day" (vs. 5). Even though "death and hell" or sin and self or ________(fill in the blank) obstruct the way, we can have victory through the grace and mercy of our God! Amen!
As we have worked through the book of 1 Corinthians, we have seen that the personal relationship was not a strength in Corinth. It was every man out for himself or for his faction. There was contention at every turn and the family and marriage were no exceptions to the rule. The Corinthians had troubles in their marriages. If we want to avoid similar troubles, we must choose daily to make God the center of our universe rather than ourselves! We must choose to be on the same page with God. He must rescue and rebuild and restore our relationships! As the Psalmist said in Ps. 127, "Unless He builds the house, the workman labors in vain".
"As For Me and My House" Elizabeth de Gruvelles/Kurt Kaiser
The ministry of marriage and family is a daily act of service and worship to God. We must therefore follow His rules for them. We cannot simply read a book and form a plan and have success. No it is not a result of trying harder to make it work out. It is the result of obedient pursuit of God's design for the home.
Like any other relationship,unity comes from fellowship with Christ. He is the great unifier! Our unity in the home is a demonstration of Christ-likeness. make this your next song a prayer for your home, our church, the youth group, your office, etc.
"Father Make Us One" Rick Ridings
What should our unified family look like?
1 Peter 5:5b-11
You see it is not a matter of saying to others "I have it all together" or "we have a great marriage" or "I have perfect children". Instead it is saying "I have a great God who has caused me to enjoy some success in this area of my life" and "I owe it all to His influence in my life".
These verses end with a challenge to cast our cares on Him. The ultimate humility is asking Gdo for help! Admit that you can't do it yourself! Peter continued on in this passage to describe our adversary as a roaring lion, prowling about looking for someone to devour. He wants to have your marriage, your family, your relationships for lunch. He wants to see you fail. I must cast all of those cares and potential areas of failure on to God.
"Cares Chorus" Kelly Willard
God cares so much about our moments of weakness and failures. He loves to bring His strength to the situation and bring glory from ruin, beauty from ashes, strength from weakness. He has promised us success when we follow his guidance and patterns. Even when it looks like it is counter-cultural and out of control, He knows what He is talking about. His ways are perfect. His ways are the ways of strength.
"Be Strong In the Lord" Linda Lee Johnson/Tom Fetke
Whenever I am facing a struggle -- a snare -- I can go to Him and His word and find the secret to marital success. The world's ways are fakes, traps, decoys. God's way is truth! He has promised us the victory, let's live in that strength and press on!
He gets all of the credit and honor from our "successful" marriages. He gets the rejoicing praise from the victories that we have. He is worthy of that praise!
"The Worship Song" Celeste Yohai
When we blow it, our Father stands ready, willing and able to forgive, restore and rebuild the mess that we have made of it. What merciful treatment -- we do not deserve it. Yet He loves to be merciful to us.
"You are Merciful to Me" Ian White
Did you hear those great names of God in the bridge? Redeemer, Savior, Healer and Friend are all relationship words/names. He is the healer of broken fellowships. These are great names that express His great part in our lives. Here are some others in a great hymn of the faith.
"Join All the Glorious Names" Isaac Watts/John Darwall
Are you excited about the phrase that you have just sung? "A feeble saint shall win the day" (vs. 5). Even though "death and hell" or sin and self or ________(fill in the blank) obstruct the way, we can have victory through the grace and mercy of our God! Amen!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Writing Team 2006 Finished
I made it safely home from Schroon Lake, NY today. I was part of a writing team there this week. I was able to write with my former teammates Dave Smith and Steve Gledhill again. This is the third year that we have been together. Dave and I have actually been together for four years. We have enjoyed the good chemistry and cooperation between the players. We added another "rookie" this year -- Jordan Wertz.
As always, these weeks are lots of hard work and little sleep. We always work hard and drink lots of caffienated beverages. :) This year I was able to teach a three part series on 1 John and a lesson on Scripture memorization. I am excited to hear about these lessons hitting the churches in Olympian clubs in 2008-09. What an awesome privilege to impact 10,000's of children around the world. The scope is both humbling and challenging!
My favorite lesson was one taught by Dave S on the book of Haggai. Haggai acted as a cheerleader/coach for the children of Israel. At just the right times, God brought them message of hope and encouragement to keep on rebuilding the walls. My favorite verse of encouragement is found in Galatians 6:9
Hosea's words are just as uplifting:
Msg 1: Put God's plan first
Msg 2: God is there right beside you
Msg 3: Do not give up on God's plan
Msg 4: God's plan will always be accomplished
One of the best parts of the week was the chapel service on Sunday morning. 30 men singing praises to God is a powerful sound! Praise God!
Proclaiming God's Word to young people,
Mike
As always, these weeks are lots of hard work and little sleep. We always work hard and drink lots of caffienated beverages. :) This year I was able to teach a three part series on 1 John and a lesson on Scripture memorization. I am excited to hear about these lessons hitting the churches in Olympian clubs in 2008-09. What an awesome privilege to impact 10,000's of children around the world. The scope is both humbling and challenging!
My favorite lesson was one taught by Dave S on the book of Haggai. Haggai acted as a cheerleader/coach for the children of Israel. At just the right times, God brought them message of hope and encouragement to keep on rebuilding the walls. My favorite verse of encouragement is found in Galatians 6:9
"Do not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we will reap if we do not faint"
Hosea's words are just as uplifting:
Msg 1: Put God's plan first
Msg 2: God is there right beside you
Msg 3: Do not give up on God's plan
Msg 4: God's plan will always be accomplished
One of the best parts of the week was the chapel service on Sunday morning. 30 men singing praises to God is a powerful sound! Praise God!
Proclaiming God's Word to young people,
Mike
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Me? Ask for directions?
If you are like me -- an aging red-blooded American male -- the farthest thing from your mind is stopping and asking for directions. You would rather die of exposure to the elements than be forced to ask for help. To ask for directions is by its nature and admission of lostness which is only thinly veiled wrongness. That does not sit well.
But I am teaching a lesson to 5th and 6th graders this week on memorization. Memorizing Scripture is a way of commiting to God's directions for life. Maybe the reason that I do not memorize Scripture more is because I think that I don't need it. Maybe I think that I have made it safely this far, why memorize the directions. After all, I can always consult the map (Bible) right? Maybe not. When the pressure gets turned up, I may not have time to thumb through Strong's Strongest Concordance or phone a friend. I need to pack Scripture away so I know the directions for life!
Would you consider five results of memorization?
But I am teaching a lesson to 5th and 6th graders this week on memorization. Memorizing Scripture is a way of commiting to God's directions for life. Maybe the reason that I do not memorize Scripture more is because I think that I don't need it. Maybe I think that I have made it safely this far, why memorize the directions. After all, I can always consult the map (Bible) right? Maybe not. When the pressure gets turned up, I may not have time to thumb through Strong's Strongest Concordance or phone a friend. I need to pack Scripture away so I know the directions for life!
Would you consider five results of memorization?
- Memorize so that you can enjoy God's best way of living
- Memorize so that your mind will be trained to be like God's
- Memorize so that you may be comforted in hard times
- Memorize so that you will not be fooled by wrong directions
- Memorize so that you can give right directions to others
Those five fruits are all great direction finders. I can know the right way of living, when I get off track, how I can get back on track and how I can stay on track.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV
Hopelessly in need of direction,
Mike
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Ministry to The Little Children
One of the favorite texts for a Children's Day message or youth related devotional is Matthew 9:13-15.
"Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there."
What was Jesus trying to teach these professional disciples about ministry -- specifically youth ministry?
1. Physical touch is important to their learning.
Now before you go and report me to the abuse hotline, let me clarify what I am talking about. Kids need to be hugged and wrestled with. It's part of what makes them kids. There is nothing inappropriate about showing kids that we care about them. Our culture has gone crazy on one hand to protect against sexual abuse but has not gone crazy on the elimination of pornography or its dispersement over the i'net.
This week in Jr. Church, I was teaching about the Upper Room and the washing of the disciples' feet. I wanted to demonstrate what that may have been like for the kids so I brought in a basin and a pitcher of water. As I washed each child's hands (not feet), I told them "I care about you", "You are important", "You have value", "I appreciate ________ about you." What an impact! Those rowdy little children were quiet and attentive!
2. Children are a viable congregation for any minister.
Lots of times I get asked, "Do you hope to get a church of your own someday"? I am never quite sure what people mean when they ask! Sometimes I think that mean, "Teens aren't important enough a flock to care for" or "you are still in the minor leagues". Jeus' disciples tried this speech on Jesus, and he said "NO! Let them come!"
Again, in Jr. Church I have discovered again the joy of teaching God's truth to young people. This is not a chore -- it is a privilege. I only hope that no one tries to force me to stop playing with the kids and get a real job! I love seeing their minds wrap around a simple concept and work it out in their own miniature, yet real, worlds.
3. Children have something to offer to adults.
Jesus used the children as examples and teachable moments for the disciples. Without those children, Jesus couldn't have spoken these now-famous words. I wonder how the disciples responded? Did they see this as a great chance to grasp the beauty and simplicity of ministry? Or did they get frustrated because they thought they were doing the right thing before? Now they had been publicly rebuked and refused. And so Youth Ministry was born. Do I take enough time to weigh the value that the teens and younger people that I minister to have for me? Who is being ministered to more?
Thanks for thinking about these things with me this morning. May God bless your ministry to young people, and may God bless you through them.
For Christ, to youth,
Mike
"Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there."
What was Jesus trying to teach these professional disciples about ministry -- specifically youth ministry?
1. Physical touch is important to their learning.
Now before you go and report me to the abuse hotline, let me clarify what I am talking about. Kids need to be hugged and wrestled with. It's part of what makes them kids. There is nothing inappropriate about showing kids that we care about them. Our culture has gone crazy on one hand to protect against sexual abuse but has not gone crazy on the elimination of pornography or its dispersement over the i'net.
This week in Jr. Church, I was teaching about the Upper Room and the washing of the disciples' feet. I wanted to demonstrate what that may have been like for the kids so I brought in a basin and a pitcher of water. As I washed each child's hands (not feet), I told them "I care about you", "You are important", "You have value", "I appreciate ________ about you." What an impact! Those rowdy little children were quiet and attentive!
2. Children are a viable congregation for any minister.
Lots of times I get asked, "Do you hope to get a church of your own someday"? I am never quite sure what people mean when they ask! Sometimes I think that mean, "Teens aren't important enough a flock to care for" or "you are still in the minor leagues". Jeus' disciples tried this speech on Jesus, and he said "NO! Let them come!"
Again, in Jr. Church I have discovered again the joy of teaching God's truth to young people. This is not a chore -- it is a privilege. I only hope that no one tries to force me to stop playing with the kids and get a real job! I love seeing their minds wrap around a simple concept and work it out in their own miniature, yet real, worlds.
3. Children have something to offer to adults.
Jesus used the children as examples and teachable moments for the disciples. Without those children, Jesus couldn't have spoken these now-famous words. I wonder how the disciples responded? Did they see this as a great chance to grasp the beauty and simplicity of ministry? Or did they get frustrated because they thought they were doing the right thing before? Now they had been publicly rebuked and refused. And so Youth Ministry was born. Do I take enough time to weigh the value that the teens and younger people that I minister to have for me? Who is being ministered to more?
Thanks for thinking about these things with me this morning. May God bless your ministry to young people, and may God bless you through them.
For Christ, to youth,
Mike
Monday, November 21, 2005
Washing the Feet of Youth
Have you ever considered the immensity of Jesus' act of total selflessness when he washe dthe feet of his disciples? I think about some times this past summer (I love wearing sandals!) when upon removing my sandals, I had to put the shoes outside on the porch! There is nothing especially high or mighty about my feet! To get down on my hands and knees to wash the feet of anyone, even my friends, seems counterproductive to building relationships. After all conversation and time spent with the person face-to-face are the great communication aspects of growing together right?
Yet Jesus demonstrated that the disciples were important to him when he got down and washed feet at the dinner table. How strange! What did this act signify to the disciples? May I suggest some things?
1. He was not grasping at a position of superiority or dominance over others.
2. He was interested in meeting needs and modeling servanthood to the next generation of church leaders.
3. He ministered out of personal interest and affection for these men.
4. He modeled his prescription for correction and cut through their objections precisely.
What great patience as a teacher! What dedication to his students! Doug Stringer has nailed this thought when he writes:
"While men reach for thrones to build their own kingdoms, Jesus reached for a towel to wash men's feet. We must have a servant's heart toward each other and toward this generation. Only with this sacrificial attitude will we see the needed breakthroughs in the Church and in our cities, and souls added to God's kingdom."
I need to focus on being that kind of leader and example for these teens. I expect so much out of them, because I see their great potential for God. Yet do I regularly wash their feet? I need to follow Christ's example more closely. I need to have my attitude and interaction with teens stretched. Lord, increase my faith and build my ministry muscles!
Longing to be like the Master,
Pastor Mike
Yet Jesus demonstrated that the disciples were important to him when he got down and washed feet at the dinner table. How strange! What did this act signify to the disciples? May I suggest some things?
1. He was not grasping at a position of superiority or dominance over others.
2. He was interested in meeting needs and modeling servanthood to the next generation of church leaders.
3. He ministered out of personal interest and affection for these men.
4. He modeled his prescription for correction and cut through their objections precisely.
What great patience as a teacher! What dedication to his students! Doug Stringer has nailed this thought when he writes:
"While men reach for thrones to build their own kingdoms, Jesus reached for a towel to wash men's feet. We must have a servant's heart toward each other and toward this generation. Only with this sacrificial attitude will we see the needed breakthroughs in the Church and in our cities, and souls added to God's kingdom."
Somebody Cares, p.93
I need to focus on being that kind of leader and example for these teens. I expect so much out of them, because I see their great potential for God. Yet do I regularly wash their feet? I need to follow Christ's example more closely. I need to have my attitude and interaction with teens stretched. Lord, increase my faith and build my ministry muscles!
Longing to be like the Master,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Is prayer enough?
Maybe your church's prayer list is different. But ours has a portion on the bottom for the names of unsaved people. We pray often for the lost and put the names of loved ones in this category. But is prayer enough? Should we just continue to pray hoping that God will intervene in their lives in a miraculous way? I submit to you that there is another part of this equation taht we have left out -- sharing in their lives!
We must have both prayer and personal appearance in our evangelistic efforts. We must pray before we go, while we go, as we are there, and after we have left; but we must go! After all that is the great commission is it not? "Go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19-20)
Stringer puts it very succinctly in this statement: "How will our communities be reached? By our intercession and then our intervention for the multitudes hanging in the balance of eternity." p. 51
Well said. Will we hear "well done" as well? Prayer is vital to evangelism. Let us not make it our only evangelistic effort!
Father,
As I go today, would you alert me to the need of others around me so that I might invest your glory into their lives. Help me to reconcile others to you through the grace that I show today. May these prayers and thoughts be the start, not the end of evangelism today. Help me to be intentional in my witness for you by intercessiona dn intervention. May my face shine, reflecting your glory to a dark and dying world, because I have been in your presence today.
Amen
I am praying for you as you pray for others, and I am going too!
Your fellow journeyman,
Pastor Mike
We must have both prayer and personal appearance in our evangelistic efforts. We must pray before we go, while we go, as we are there, and after we have left; but we must go! After all that is the great commission is it not? "Go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19-20)
Stringer puts it very succinctly in this statement: "How will our communities be reached? By our intercession and then our intervention for the multitudes hanging in the balance of eternity." p. 51
Well said. Will we hear "well done" as well? Prayer is vital to evangelism. Let us not make it our only evangelistic effort!
Father,
As I go today, would you alert me to the need of others around me so that I might invest your glory into their lives. Help me to reconcile others to you through the grace that I show today. May these prayers and thoughts be the start, not the end of evangelism today. Help me to be intentional in my witness for you by intercessiona dn intervention. May my face shine, reflecting your glory to a dark and dying world, because I have been in your presence today.
Amen
I am praying for you as you pray for others, and I am going too!
Your fellow journeyman,
Pastor Mike
The Value of Relationship on Evangelism
I have been studying the book of 1 John again (in order to complete a writing assignment). The central tennets of the books are exactly where Stringer has placed his emphasis in Somebody Cares. He writes:
"There are so many still to be reached! Together, with each of us doing our part, we can make a difference. If we walk in a right relationship with the lord and with each other, His light will shine through us and draw people to Him." p. 51
1 John is all about bringing others to know for sure that they are forgiven and part of God's eternal family. In fact, the stated purpose of the book is found in 1 John 5:13 (NIV)
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."
John's book is both evangelistic and discipling. He begins his book describing how to have this fellowship and partnership with God and with others.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete."
That 1-2 punch of fellowshipping with God and with others is the strength of the Christian faith. Without a relationship with God, our relationships with others are left to be controlled by our own special interests. This basis for relationships is doomed and destined for ruin! Without a relationship with others, our faith in God is hidden and unusable! We must have both. We must love horizontally and vertically if we are to love in either direction.
My relationship with God allows me to share that relationship with others and model that relationship in the relationships that I have with others. Wouldn't it be great if I handled allof my friendships like God deals with me? That is the goal exactly! I need divine enablement to overcome my natural self-protecting, self-promoting, self-fulfilling motivations. A perfect marriage, a perfect working relationship with my co-workers, a perfect friendship comes only through a growing relationship with God!
Here are some thought questions for us all in this area:
"There are so many still to be reached! Together, with each of us doing our part, we can make a difference. If we walk in a right relationship with the lord and with each other, His light will shine through us and draw people to Him." p. 51
1 John is all about bringing others to know for sure that they are forgiven and part of God's eternal family. In fact, the stated purpose of the book is found in 1 John 5:13 (NIV)
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."
John's book is both evangelistic and discipling. He begins his book describing how to have this fellowship and partnership with God and with others.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete."
1 John 1:1-4, NIV
That 1-2 punch of fellowshipping with God and with others is the strength of the Christian faith. Without a relationship with God, our relationships with others are left to be controlled by our own special interests. This basis for relationships is doomed and destined for ruin! Without a relationship with others, our faith in God is hidden and unusable! We must have both. We must love horizontally and vertically if we are to love in either direction.
My relationship with God allows me to share that relationship with others and model that relationship in the relationships that I have with others. Wouldn't it be great if I handled allof my friendships like God deals with me? That is the goal exactly! I need divine enablement to overcome my natural self-protecting, self-promoting, self-fulfilling motivations. A perfect marriage, a perfect working relationship with my co-workers, a perfect friendship comes only through a growing relationship with God!
Here are some thought questions for us all in this area:
- Do I have a personal relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ? (1 Jn. 5:12)
- Do I spend a sufficient amount of time developing that relationship through the spiritual disciplines of Scripture memory, Bible reading, and prayer?
- Have I neglected my relationship with God in order to pursue a relationship with others? Or perhaps vice versa?
- Is my love for God and others in the category of sacrificial? (Jn. 15:13)
- Have I asked for God's help to use my relationships to draw others to him?
- Have I accepted my responsibility as a reconciler of relationships and thereby demonstrated God's reconciliation to those around me? (2 Cor. 5:18-20)
Thanks for thinking about the importance of relationship to evangelism (1 John 4:7-12). My desire is that I will live the goodness and mercy of God before others, forgiving those that offend me in the same way that God did that for me (Matthew 6:12, 14; Ephesians 4:32). There is no greater love than a man giving his life for his friends (John 15:13).
There is no greater force for evangelism in our postmodern world than that of friendship. Will you be a friend (of God and of others) for the sake of Christ and his kingdom?
Your friend,
Pastor Mike
Friday, November 11, 2005
Why I need to be a farmer
I think I have posted this before. I hate waiting! I am so success-driven that I want to see it all happen -- goal set, action taken, results recorded -- and quickly! But, as I see over and over again, it is not the rapid response that is best. It is the "established" response that is so much better. Scripture says it this way:
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Colosssians 2:6-7, NIV
Paul knew that spiritual growth takes time and that like a farmer he had to be patient with that process. Faith (or at least the faithful believer) it seems is like a plant -- requiring foundation in the soil, proper roots and lots of T-I-M-E to continue to grow.
Doug Stringer wrote about that frustration of watching some of those we invest in die out anyway. He gave some great words of advice that are like a well-timed drink of water to quench the thirst. He writes:
"We may work with an individual off and on for many years before the breakthrough comes in his or her life. Sometimes we never see it. Yet no labor for the Lord is in vain. God is faithful to watch over every seed sown into a soul."
Jesus told a parable that echoes this sentiment.
"This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
I am so looking forward to harvest, especialy in the lives of the young people that I minister to. But I am in all probability reaping the benefits of someone else's planting, watering and weeding right now. So, I must just be content to do my work knowing that some of it falls on rocky soil, some on weedy soil, some on good soil. (see Mark 4:1-20)
I must say with Paul, "[I am] confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NIV)
Thanks for planting, watering and weeding,
with patience in the lives of young [and old] people,
Pastor Mike
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Colosssians 2:6-7, NIV
Paul knew that spiritual growth takes time and that like a farmer he had to be patient with that process. Faith (or at least the faithful believer) it seems is like a plant -- requiring foundation in the soil, proper roots and lots of T-I-M-E to continue to grow.
Doug Stringer wrote about that frustration of watching some of those we invest in die out anyway. He gave some great words of advice that are like a well-timed drink of water to quench the thirst. He writes:
"We may work with an individual off and on for many years before the breakthrough comes in his or her life. Sometimes we never see it. Yet no labor for the Lord is in vain. God is faithful to watch over every seed sown into a soul."
Somebody Cares, p.39
Jesus told a parable that echoes this sentiment.
"This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Mark 4:26-29, NIV
I am so looking forward to harvest, especialy in the lives of the young people that I minister to. But I am in all probability reaping the benefits of someone else's planting, watering and weeding right now. So, I must just be content to do my work knowing that some of it falls on rocky soil, some on weedy soil, some on good soil. (see Mark 4:1-20)
I must say with Paul, "[I am] confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NIV)
Thanks for planting, watering and weeding,
with patience in the lives of young [and old] people,
Pastor Mike
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
A mission statement for Turning Point Ministries
As I mentioned before, Doug Stringer has written a book that describes his passion for ministry to young people on the streets of Houston, TX. He has included the Turning Point Ministries mission statement:
"Preparing a people for the coming of the Lord through a message of consecration, commitment, and action." p.45
He further defines each part of that mission statement this way:
"Consecration: being separated unto God, recognizing His holiness, our own unrighteousness and His grace;
Commitment: not just "romancing" God and His work but acknowledging our responsibility to obey Him and letting that knowledge provoke us to action;
Action: turning our responsibility into concrete obedience" p.45
What a great way to describe what he is trying to do and what he is encouraging others to join him in doing! Doug describes this statement as a trumpet blast, used to call others to action -- to the front. Again, while I cannot agree with all of Doug's ecumenical activity, I can agree with his premise.
In fact, I could have just as easily written these words instead of Doug. IWe are striving to the very same things with the Sr. Hi. Youth Group at Wyoming. I might say it a little differently. The goals that we are aiming at, here at WyBC, are:
"Preparing a people for the coming of the Lord through a message of consecration, commitment, and action." p.45
He further defines each part of that mission statement this way:
"Consecration: being separated unto God, recognizing His holiness, our own unrighteousness and His grace;
Commitment: not just "romancing" God and His work but acknowledging our responsibility to obey Him and letting that knowledge provoke us to action;
Action: turning our responsibility into concrete obedience" p.45
What a great way to describe what he is trying to do and what he is encouraging others to join him in doing! Doug describes this statement as a trumpet blast, used to call others to action -- to the front. Again, while I cannot agree with all of Doug's ecumenical activity, I can agree with his premise.
In fact, I could have just as easily written these words instead of Doug. IWe are striving to the very same things with the Sr. Hi. Youth Group at Wyoming. I might say it a little differently. The goals that we are aiming at, here at WyBC, are:
- A personal, vibrant relationship with God through Jesus Christ
- A growing understanding of the Word of God, its relevance to our culture, and its direction for every area of life
- A passion that motivates me to tell others about the purpose, peace and promise of this relationship with God
It also fits well with my own personal mission statement: Being conformed to the image of the Son, through the power of the Spirit, to the glory of the Father.
I would love to hear/read your mission statement. How do you define what it is that God has called you to do?
Pursuing the purposes of God,
Pastor Mike
Monday, October 31, 2005
Bibliographic Note
To those of you who may be interested in reading about Doug Stringer's ministry from Houston TX, his book information is posted below:
Stringer, Doug. Somebody Cares: A Guide to Living Out Your Faith. Regal Books: Ventura, CA, (c) 2001.
www.regalbooks.com
Send me your thoughts after you've read the book! :)
Pastor Mike
Stringer, Doug. Somebody Cares: A Guide to Living Out Your Faith. Regal Books: Ventura, CA, (c) 2001.
www.regalbooks.com
Send me your thoughts after you've read the book! :)
Pastor Mike
Somebody Cares
I just finished reading Doug Stringer's book, "Somebody Cares". What a stirring challenge to me about reaching out to those who have no hope in my community. I would like to post and reflect on a number of quotes form that book that I hope will stir you as well. As with any book that I read, there are portions of Doug's theology that just do not fit with my personal understanding and/or practice. However, as I was recently reminded, I must not criticize and do nothing to improve it. I may not do it the way that Doug does, but I must do something else!
Here's quote one:
"The Creator of the universe intends for your life and mine to shape the destiny of this world. ... My life [is] not my own. ... Our Father has a job for us to accomplish." p. 31
Wow! Talk about enlarged borders! I had a professor at seminary that used to talk like that. Lee Wise just soaked that challenging motivational speech right up and oozed it back out to us as young men. I love that kind of speech! But it must go beyond that "speech" level to "shoe leather" level.
I hope to add posts in the next few months that will point back to this one and will testify of God using my life, no HIS life, to move others toward heaven.
Thanks for listening,
Motivated to shape the destiny of this world from Wyoming, NY
Pastor Mike
Here's quote one:
"The Creator of the universe intends for your life and mine to shape the destiny of this world. ... My life [is] not my own. ... Our Father has a job for us to accomplish." p. 31
Wow! Talk about enlarged borders! I had a professor at seminary that used to talk like that. Lee Wise just soaked that challenging motivational speech right up and oozed it back out to us as young men. I love that kind of speech! But it must go beyond that "speech" level to "shoe leather" level.
I hope to add posts in the next few months that will point back to this one and will testify of God using my life, no HIS life, to move others toward heaven.
Thanks for listening,
Motivated to shape the destiny of this world from Wyoming, NY
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Fear of Parents
We are headed off for a training conference next weekend with our teens. The theme is "Faith Factor: No place for fear". The workshops will be addressing the fears that teens face in their lives. Our teens have signed up for three workshops apiece. I was surprised that 5 out of 8 teens attending the seminar are choosing a workshop about the fear of parents.
I am not sure what the speaker will address in this arena. I am hoping that he will be remarking on the Biblical pattern for parenting and the place for a rightful fear of parents as the delgated authority in the teens' lives. But I wonder if our teens have really become afraid of their parents. What would cause that kind of reaction?
Here are some of my thoughts:
1. Fear is generated through a lack of love (1 John 4:18). The fear of parents may be generated through a longing for love. Teens not being sure that they were loved would create a fear factor. Thoughts of "what will my parent do to me next? They are always out to ruin my life!" would be consistent with this view.
2. Fear is often grown in the absence of faith (see Mark 4:40). The fear of parents may be created by a failure to have faith in God or in the parenting of the adults. How often do we crush the faith of our teens by not leading them well. They are not really reacting to God but to us -- their representatives of God in their life. Or maybe our teens do not have any faith. they are panicked about the ir parents because they do not understand the proper place that they have in the teen's life.
3. Fear is uncertainty about the future. Teens face a host of issues with their parents today. With the Christian family unit being as likely to break apart as the unsaved family, teens are scared about the future of their family. They have a tough time thinking "this won't happen to us" when it just might! The family is no longer a place of assured rest and safety.
4. Fear may be generated by the teen hiding something from their parents. This too is anticipated by the Scriptures (cp. the reaction of Adam and Eve when they had their eyes opened; Gen. 3:8-10). Teens need to come clean with their parents. They need to rely on their parents to help them work through their sin issues, Biblically. But as parents we need to give them that confidence by not giving them a tonguelashing, but by graoning with them over their sins and working and walking with them through their consequences. (Gal. 6:1-2)
What do you think? Why would teens be scared of parents? I would love to know.
As a parent and a youth worker,
Pastor Mike
I am not sure what the speaker will address in this arena. I am hoping that he will be remarking on the Biblical pattern for parenting and the place for a rightful fear of parents as the delgated authority in the teens' lives. But I wonder if our teens have really become afraid of their parents. What would cause that kind of reaction?
Here are some of my thoughts:
1. Fear is generated through a lack of love (1 John 4:18). The fear of parents may be generated through a longing for love. Teens not being sure that they were loved would create a fear factor. Thoughts of "what will my parent do to me next? They are always out to ruin my life!" would be consistent with this view.
2. Fear is often grown in the absence of faith (see Mark 4:40). The fear of parents may be created by a failure to have faith in God or in the parenting of the adults. How often do we crush the faith of our teens by not leading them well. They are not really reacting to God but to us -- their representatives of God in their life. Or maybe our teens do not have any faith. they are panicked about the ir parents because they do not understand the proper place that they have in the teen's life.
3. Fear is uncertainty about the future. Teens face a host of issues with their parents today. With the Christian family unit being as likely to break apart as the unsaved family, teens are scared about the future of their family. They have a tough time thinking "this won't happen to us" when it just might! The family is no longer a place of assured rest and safety.
4. Fear may be generated by the teen hiding something from their parents. This too is anticipated by the Scriptures (cp. the reaction of Adam and Eve when they had their eyes opened; Gen. 3:8-10). Teens need to come clean with their parents. They need to rely on their parents to help them work through their sin issues, Biblically. But as parents we need to give them that confidence by not giving them a tonguelashing, but by graoning with them over their sins and working and walking with them through their consequences. (Gal. 6:1-2)
What do you think? Why would teens be scared of parents? I would love to know.
As a parent and a youth worker,
Pastor Mike
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Beating the Teen Rebellion Stereotype
I have been meditating on a really key psalm this week. It is Psalm 78. It occurs in the middle of the psalter near the beginning of Book 3. Unfortunately, its obscure location does not afford it the press that I think that it should get. This psalm contains some great scriptural challenge for youth ministry and should therefore be adorning every youth worker's office wall, earmarked in every youth worker's Bible, and posted in every youth worker's blog (thus my post :) ).
The psalm is a maskil -- that is an instructional psalm, based heavily in the form and function of the proverbs. It contains a typical proverbial opening call for the reader's undivided attention. (See the "my son" speeches in Proverbs 1-9) In the next 8 verses, it describes in beautiful Hebrew poetry, the great commission for every adult with any contact with young people (parent, teacher, guidance counselor, pastor, mentor, etc.). May I share some observations with you?
The psalm is a maskil -- that is an instructional psalm, based heavily in the form and function of the proverbs. It contains a typical proverbial opening call for the reader's undivided attention. (See the "my son" speeches in Proverbs 1-9) In the next 8 verses, it describes in beautiful Hebrew poetry, the great commission for every adult with any contact with young people (parent, teacher, guidance counselor, pastor, mentor, etc.). May I share some observations with you?
- I have been given something of value to say to young people. (2-3)
- I must engage young people within the culture so "that the next generation may know". (4-6)
- I must encourage them to be involved in youth ministry too. (6)
- Trust is the cure for stubbornness and rebellion. (7-8)
I have been meditating on the the last verse (8) of this section. My goal as a youth minister (or as a parent, teacher, etc.) is to get the young people, that God has entrusted to me, to not repeat the failures (my failures) of the past. The measure of success in youth ministry ought to be number of ah-ha moments in our young people's life and not number of group meetings attended. Success should be marked out in terms of pitfalls avoided rather than number of events planned or teens in attendance.
The problem with measuring with these markers of success is that they are out of our control. We can't make our teens listen. We can't make the student learn. In the terms of the psalmist, we can't make their hearts loyal or their spirits faithful. The best that we can do is to model loyalty and faithfulness that comes out in front of the teens. The second best thing that we can do is to keep telling them the parables, and dark sayings that our fathers (mothers, teachers, etc.) told us. The measure of success is reproduction of well-adjusted, Godly young people to the third and fourth generation.
I am committed to helping teens break the rebellion stereotype by showing them how to live in submission to God's authority and to share with them the joys of God's wondrous work in my life. Are you committed to do the same? E-mail me your response, your support, and your own commitments.
For the love of God (and of teens),
Pastor Mike
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Ultimate Capture the Flag 04
What do you get when you mix one group of leaders who really want to minister to teens with a local community park and a group of teens who love to play? You get Ultimate Capture the Flag 04! It is an outreach to our community that we are hosting this weekend (Friday night 6-8:30pm). We hope to have 30+ teens running through the local park and then invite them across the street to our church to share refreshments and a gosple message with them.
Would you like more information? E-mail me!
Would you like to be part of the event but don't know how to get from your location to Western NY? Pray for us!
Watch this site for posts of pictures! :)
For the love of teens,
Pastor Mike
Would you like more information? E-mail me!
Would you like to be part of the event but don't know how to get from your location to Western NY? Pray for us!
Watch this site for posts of pictures! :)
For the love of teens,
Pastor Mike
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
The Thrill of Power Tools
I am working on projects in Rochester, NY this week at my in-laws new house. We are attentive to renovate their basement. I really do not know much about the art of remodeling. I do know that I love power tools -- especially that compound miter saw that I borrowed. I should get one myself.
There is no cologne so sweet as the smell of fresh pine sawdust!
Still able to count to ten on my fingers,
Mike
There is no cologne so sweet as the smell of fresh pine sawdust!
Still able to count to ten on my fingers,
Mike
Thursday, June 24, 2004
What are you doing to me?
Ministry is not without its twists in the road. You know the feeling? Driving along the perfectly planned road of youth work and then you see the sign. The one with the S-curves on S-curves! The one that looks like there might be some serious slowing down to be done ahead.
I don't like slow downs. They frustrate me! I am a top-down-Porsche-911 (black with camel colored leather interior and real wood dashboard and accessories)-open-'er-up-and-let-'er-rip kind of guy. And youth ministry is no different.
Yet it is exactly those curves, those speed bumps, those traffic lights that God wants there. If left up to us, we would blast through the neighborhood at 100 mph on our way to the next big event or conference or vacation spot. So God slows us down with a speed zone in a quaint little town or even in the inner city to make us wait and watch and be on the look-out for people that need ministry.
Last night we kicked off our first of 4 training sesssion prior to going on our summer missions trip. I had envisioned a great group of teens excited about ministry and about God's Word who were on fire and waiting to be infectious fervent zealots for the cause of Christ. What I got was two pair of siblings, a gog-goo eyed couple, half of the 6 teen team signed up for summer soccer on the evenings reserved for training, young, inexperienced underclassmen who didn't bring Bibles or persmission/consent forms to the first meeting. God what are you doing to me? I asked for zealots and you gave me these teens! Are you sure I need a slow down? ARe you sure about these s-curves? Couldn't you straighten them out a bit?
And then it hit me... God is giving me the next generation. I get to lead them into zeal. I get to light their fuses. I get to see them explode into fervor. But I don't want to wait -- remember the Porsche, God?? (By the way, I'll take red if that's what you have planned). What do you mean 1st gear? okay. okay. I'm slowed down now.
Help me Lord to see the needs of these teens clearer than I ever have before. Help me to give them little sips of refreshment from the fountain not turn the firehose on them. I want so much to give them all of the joys (the end) first, but help me now to train them to serve. So that they will outrun me later and be spiritual giants in the future. Help me to be patient with them. Help me see the flaws that need work in me too. Help them to be patient with me.
Amen
I don't like slow downs. They frustrate me! I am a top-down-Porsche-911 (black with camel colored leather interior and real wood dashboard and accessories)-open-'er-up-and-let-'er-rip kind of guy. And youth ministry is no different.
Yet it is exactly those curves, those speed bumps, those traffic lights that God wants there. If left up to us, we would blast through the neighborhood at 100 mph on our way to the next big event or conference or vacation spot. So God slows us down with a speed zone in a quaint little town or even in the inner city to make us wait and watch and be on the look-out for people that need ministry.
Last night we kicked off our first of 4 training sesssion prior to going on our summer missions trip. I had envisioned a great group of teens excited about ministry and about God's Word who were on fire and waiting to be infectious fervent zealots for the cause of Christ. What I got was two pair of siblings, a gog-goo eyed couple, half of the 6 teen team signed up for summer soccer on the evenings reserved for training, young, inexperienced underclassmen who didn't bring Bibles or persmission/consent forms to the first meeting. God what are you doing to me? I asked for zealots and you gave me these teens! Are you sure I need a slow down? ARe you sure about these s-curves? Couldn't you straighten them out a bit?
And then it hit me... God is giving me the next generation. I get to lead them into zeal. I get to light their fuses. I get to see them explode into fervor. But I don't want to wait -- remember the Porsche, God?? (By the way, I'll take red if that's what you have planned). What do you mean 1st gear? okay. okay. I'm slowed down now.
Help me Lord to see the needs of these teens clearer than I ever have before. Help me to give them little sips of refreshment from the fountain not turn the firehose on them. I want so much to give them all of the joys (the end) first, but help me now to train them to serve. So that they will outrun me later and be spiritual giants in the future. Help me to be patient with them. Help me see the flaws that need work in me too. Help them to be patient with me.
Amen
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
To plan or not to plan
That is the question. Whenever I delegate, I seem to be anxious to retrieve the balls that I have passed off. There is a aprehension that comes with waiting for someone else to come through in the clutch. I rush too quickly to the rescue.
Delegation is not my strong suit. It is an area that I do need to get better at. The ability to say "would you help here" is as powewrful as the ability to say "no". Oh that I would expand my leadership vocabulary to include these phrases and give them a "frequently used" status.
I found another ministry partner today who feels the same way. Her response is to cover the bases that someone might have dropped. But inconfirmed drops and leadership covers make the students and the learners never learn. The person who has a task delegated and then who never is held accountable or who is chronically rescued may never learn the art of completion.
I cannot plan for everything. I must plan for most things. I must be flexible enough to roll with the contingencies, but be ready enough to minimize them. If you build it (the master plan), they (the contingencies) will come!
So what do I get from all of this open musing?
God is in control of my ministry and I must relax in His ability to take even an imperfect job done by me and make it minister. I must prepare and present my best to God in each day of ministry. But I cannot see all of the turns in the raod. God can and he has ordained them for my growth today. His grace is indeed sufficient for this hour!
Delegation is not my strong suit. It is an area that I do need to get better at. The ability to say "would you help here" is as powewrful as the ability to say "no". Oh that I would expand my leadership vocabulary to include these phrases and give them a "frequently used" status.
I found another ministry partner today who feels the same way. Her response is to cover the bases that someone might have dropped. But inconfirmed drops and leadership covers make the students and the learners never learn. The person who has a task delegated and then who never is held accountable or who is chronically rescued may never learn the art of completion.
I cannot plan for everything. I must plan for most things. I must be flexible enough to roll with the contingencies, but be ready enough to minimize them. If you build it (the master plan), they (the contingencies) will come!
So what do I get from all of this open musing?
God is in control of my ministry and I must relax in His ability to take even an imperfect job done by me and make it minister. I must prepare and present my best to God in each day of ministry. But I cannot see all of the turns in the raod. God can and he has ordained them for my growth today. His grace is indeed sufficient for this hour!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
